Orissa High Court

The Election Commission of India has scheduled elections for 12 vacant Rajya Sabha seats across nine states on September 3, following resignations and Lok Sabha elections involving several members. In Maharashtra, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) plans to contest all 36 Mumbai seats independently, criticizing the current government for neglecting Maharashtra's interests. In Odisha, the High Court has admitted petitions challenging the elections of Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and BJD MLA Dhruba Charan Sahoo, citing alleged irregularities in the nomination processes. Both cases will proceed with hearings on August 30, where the candidates must respond to the claims of improper acceptance of nomination papers and other discrepancies. Meanwhile, former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife are seeking bail in a corruption case, with hearings underway amid political tensions.